Airbnb/Accomodation in NYC and America

SaberX on 06/11/2014 - 00:43

Hi guys,

Had a seperate thread up earlier about flying to the US, thought this was more appropriate in its own thread.

I've been enquiring on public avenues and reading old threads e.g. trip advisor, and the overwhelming response from fellow americans or new yorkers is to avoid air bnb - supposedly 99% is illegal there, could be scams therefore etc etc.

HOweve,r the majority of ozbargain responses recommended air bnb, VRBO etc…. Coming from aus where I have used stayz for trips down south to Margaret River, stayed in group apartment in Melbourne trips etc, I always thought these accomodation listing websites were fine, but am abit perplexed on the really negative response by americans to Air Bnb when I mentioned it. It wasn't just one, but basically all who insisted go to a hotel.

So my question is has anyone looked into or experienced america, particularly NYC and air bnb? I'm curious if it's just a new york legality thing, and being my first port of call into the country potentially, would booking an air bnb cause me to be denied border entry (if they ask where i'm staying and I say an air bnb, which is deemed illegal?).

Alternatively to air bnb's $70-110 basic rooms, are hotels which start from $150, with most in the mid to high 200's onwards… it's very pricey for hotels…

So I'm torn, like music downloading, do you do the illegal thing that I don't see any harm with (particularly if the air bnb has many revews/feedback from other boarders), or is there a cheap hotel alternative?

I've never stayed in a hostel, except for a ski lodge in mount buller, but are hostels worth looking into? My stereotype is seedy, dirty, dodgy and being unsafe to leave my belongings in my room while out. Or am I being biased given the view that hostels seem cheap and nasty, and therefore must attract similar socio-economic people? Don't want to sound ignorant, but I'm sure others who have always gone hotels their whole life think the same.

Thanks guys. Didn't know about all this Air Bnb opposition until recently, thought it was a bloody good idea/penny saver. Bubble slightly popped.. =/

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Comments

  • QW3RTY on 06/11/2014 - 10:47

    Unlicenced hostels and guest houses have been cracked down on recently.
    In early February 2014, I booked a place called "Urban Oasis" on 5th Avenue, NYC for me and my girlfriend to stay at during New Years. 100% on Tripadvisor, heaps of reviews on Hostel World.

    Unfortunately, after 5 years of operation, NY State decided to issue them with a foreclosure notice, as they were technically an unlicenced guest house. Apparently this was brought about by the Tourism and Hoteliers Lobby in NY State — which I'd imagine to be quite the multi-million dollar business.

    We were informed by Urban Oasis that we needed to find a replacement hotel, and suggested we avoid AirBNB and any other unlicenced guest houses to ensure our booking was secured.

    My advice to you would be to hit up HostelWorld and TripAdvisor. Browse some websites to see each provider's licence status if you want to be 100% sure. Browse AirBNB carefully. We noticed many people putting up ads, then removing them a month later — with no trace or explanation for removing.

    If you choose to go HostelWorld.com (which I HIGHLY recommend), filter by rating. This will help abate your fears about seedy hostels, reviews will be your best defence.

    Best of luck!

    • SaberX on 06/11/2014 - 23:57

      Well that's good you got informed of a new place to stay at least. So essentially the whole issue about these illegal stays in NYC is that you have no recourse in that you could be canceled on at the last minute?

      Would hostelworld or hostels in general offer the security, local feel and locations of a similar air bnb for the same price? Somehow my idea of hostels are run down, shady people and being unsafe areas, or worried about leaving any valuables in the locked room (just becuase of the nature of the place). I think i've formed a bias opinion on what they must be like though.

      HOw does one check a "provider's license status" upon looking up a hostel, hotel, or even to check if it's a valid apartment rental? Is there a special license # people are issued in say America?

      Why do you like HOstelworld.com so much? Just curious that's all, never looked at hostels so just merely asking. And yes, seedy, unsafe hostels, are second to images of ticks and what not crawling on dirty, unsanitary beds. I'm sure it's just plain stereotyping bias/paranoia… but it's hard to break a habit…

      Thank you!

      Oh and lastly… did you ever travel into America from Aus ONLY using air bnb? Just wondering if border control would let one in if you have no proper hotel/hostel booking to put down as your 'place of stay'. Don't know how nosy they get, but obviously don't want to be denied into the country becuase they deem air bnb illegal and therefore I have no proper legal place i'm staying at when arriving.

      • QW3RTY on 07/11/2014 - 13:37

        1. Hostelworld offers a flexible cancellation/deposit scheme. If you put 10% down to secure your hotel, you're able to cancel and get that 10% back (if you cancel within a set amount of time, usually 48 hours before hand).

        2. If you want to check out to see if a place is licenced, you could search the business name through the NY Permit's site. https://www.health.ny.gov/permits/ It's probably just better to email and check. :)

        3. I love HostelWorld because of their ratings system. Great way to get an idea of traveller satisfaction. It's like Tripadvisor, but it's got more a budget concious spin to it, and for that I love it :).
          Through HostelWorld, I discovered and stayed at the best accomodation I've ever stayed in. Mosaic House, Praha, Czech Republic. It was AUD$40 and surpassed my expecations. Absolutely luxury — rivalled that of the Hilton, Shangri La and le Parker Meridian.

        4. I've never successfully stayed at an Air BNB. 2 bookings, both cancelled by the owner. But not in the USA, just the UK.

        Cheers and good luck again!

  • donbot on 06/11/2014 - 10:53

    I understood (or have quite possibly, misunderstood) the legalities of airbnb & nyc to simply be - short term rental of an unoccupied apartment is illegal, whereas staying in a spare room of someone residing at the premises (more of a true B&B) is OK as its not considered a short term tenancy.

    I know there is a whole lot more to it than that, but thats the rule I ran with back in November 2011. Stayed in two different airbnb bookings in nyc on that trip (and also a few days in memphis) without issue.

    The approach I took:
    * LOTS of feedback required - I didnt bother with someone who had 1-10 pieces of very recent feedback.
    * Communicative - responded to messages, etc.

    I just checked - the two rooms I stayed with are still listed, and one of them is still quite active at about $70/night in midtown. It was a very basic room, but given its nyc.. you need a bed to sleep in and a shower to wash… thats about it. PM me if you're interested to know more.

    • SaberX on 06/11/2014 - 23:59

      That seems to be roughly what I read too. I think there is somewhat of an issue even if you're in the same building though so you don't seem like you're saying your renting to a 'friend' when all it is is a random?

      On your trip with air bnb, did you enter solely to the US with only air bnb lodging booked? If so did they ask about your place of stay, or just an address and didn't push on whether it was a hotel, friend, or what not?

      I wouldn't mind the two rooms/listings you stayed with (NYC was it)? , particualrly if decent price.

      Should I shoot you a PM, or do you want to? Cheers!

  • nickster9999 on 06/11/2014 - 12:26

    I've used AirBnB in the following US cities:

    • New York (I stayed in Queens ie Long Island City)
    • Chicago
    • Boston
    • Los Angeles (West Hollywood)

    All four were great experiences. No issues at all. The apartments were exactly as expected. And the price worked out to be around 40%-60% less than a comparable hotel.

    • SaberX on 07/11/2014 - 00:01

      Few people recommended NYC staying in Queens/Long ISland city, particularly if needing cheaper hotel/hostel accomodation. Isn't it hard though, as I thought mid town/manhattan area was all the action, place to be, transport subway links etc?

      Do you have the listings or places/hosts still avialable, able to find them on air bnb? Good to know ones people have been, and to know they aren't weirdos and aren't scams.

      Cheers. And as per other replies above - did you enter US only on air bnb's being booked, and did you have border issues when/if they questioned you on this mode of accomodation upon entry?

      Were hostels more expensive than your air bnb option?

  • derkyft on 06/11/2014 - 17:02

    Too much text so I didn't read. I used airbnb in September for LA, SF and NYC and it turned out pretty good (especially LA). NYC we stayed in Chinatown but the place was decent for the price.

    • SaberX on 07/11/2014 - 00:02

      Wait - how do you know what to reply then? hah. DO you have your air bnb links still for those three? We'll be hitting up all three, but I'm doing NYC on my own. Atm tossing up SF DOwntown hostel in san fran though, on mason road… supposedly that's meant to be central to san fran?

      Did you enter US only with air bnbs booked, and have any border control issues/getting in? When and if they asked about it?

  • Fizzgig on 06/11/2014 - 18:10

    Stayed with airbnb twice in NY and both times were amazing! First time stayed with someone and second time got our own place. Saving heaps of $$, places were as described.

    • SaberX on 07/11/2014 - 00:03

      Where abouts in NY? Would love to see your listings if you can find them/the host again please.

      As per other questions above - did you enter NY/america only on air bnb booked accomodations, and have any border control issues, when or if you were questioned on where you'd be staying for your visit?

      Hotels were obviously alot more expensive, but did you have a reason for going air bnb versus a legal hostel while in NY?

  • maximum on 06/11/2014 - 19:35

    I used air bnb in New York - Harlem. They even have ads in the subway saying how great airbnb is for the New York economy so not sure about the legal issues. The place we stayed in was great - trip advisor commentators are really against air bnb but if the host has to cancel the booking you get your money back - sure it might be annoying but hotels are so expensive and small. The host doesn't get your money till you have been there one day so can't really be an out and out scam.
    We also stayed in la in an air bnb and in Orlando vrbo.

    • SaberX on 07/11/2014 - 00:05

      Yeah, I noticed none advise for air bnb, and are really against it. Not just one, but all. So no help there in posting for help/advice.

      Heard about the host cancellation policy. The only issue is being stranded last minute without accomodation wouldn't be great… would throw things into a real jam too.

      I'll be going to LA too… did you have the listings still for your NYC and LA?

      So you had no issues with your hosts and going in/out of the accomodation? The rooms provided are always self contained, lockable from outside etc?

      • maximum on 08/11/2014 - 20:07

        I only choose self contained places, but my niece stayed in New York in a room in an apartment and had no access issues.
        In la we had 6 of us this is where we stayed
        https://m.airbnb.com.au/listings/921737. It was good because we could walk to the walk of fame, in n out burger, I hop, jimmy kimmel taping (free and guaranteed celebrity sighting we saw 50 cent) and had off street parking. The beds were so comfortable. The access was a code so no meet up much easier than hotel check in.
        For immigration you will have the address of the accommodation so no issues at all.

        • maximum on 08/11/2014 - 21:35

          Our New York one is no longer listed but this one is in the same street https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2768121
          This is 3 beds for $180 a night 10 minutes on the subway right round the corner to Times Square. We like to make our own breakfasts when we are away it is usually much healthier and cheaper.
          There are plenty of cheap local restaurants round here too.

        • SaberX on 15/01/2015 - 02:15

          @maximum:

          Probably experience food out during my whole trip in NYC/america, so dining facilities isn't an issue… I expect you can get cheap to more medium/moderate priced food so I wont' have an issue, and figure I might as well make the most of the chance to try new food.

          THanks for the link. Apologies it took me this long as I forgot about this post for abit (real hectic/busy last few months). That said I only need one bed for a solo traveller though so the listing wouldn't be as appropriate to me.

          Based on your air bnb experiences what area would you advise to stay in to make the most of tourist attractions/itineraries, food etc, yet not being too suckered into mainstream tourist areas that actually turn out less of a full blown enjoyable NYC experience?

          Do you find any need to look up VRBO if you do an Air bnb search? Are there diff properties between the two that make searching both worthwhile?

        • maximum on 15/01/2015 - 13:58

          @SaberX: I found that most properties in orlando were vrbo based and so that's why I went with them rather than airbnb .
          In New York the most important thing is getting a place near the subway. When I won a trip to New York in October we stayed in 54th street . The hotel rooms are really small and 4 star was nothing to write home about. Plus $450 a night no breakfast is ridiculous. It was nice to walk to Times Square and Central Park but just as easy to train it from harlem. I looked at Long Island but worried about getting stuck in traffic.

  • anna10 on 07/11/2014 - 08:16

    I wasted many hours on airbnb and got a lot of very dodgy replies. I was 50% successful and went for a cheap hotel for the other half.

    • SaberX on 08/11/2014 - 00:52

      Dodgy in what sense?? So you managed to book a less dodgy sounding one for half the trip then forgoed the other half of the trip in favour of budget hotels?

      • anna10 on 08/11/2014 - 09:52

        Yes, exactly. There were many places that were too good to be true for the price and when contacted asked me to talk to them off airbnb. I got a good one first up w' lots of positive reviews who was great to deal with by email. I wanted my own bathroom and access to a microwave. I have travelled a lot and have always been safe as I'm very careful if something doesn't look right to me

        One precious guy said that my photo 'creeped him out' :) It was just a standard coloured photo from my ipad. Then I asked others if my photo did the same and they said no they didn't even notice it.

        I am there for 2 weeks in May, and this place was so popular 6 weeks ago that I could only get the first week and decided to grab it. I thought after the first week I'd know enough about where / what etc that a cheapay hotel would be acceptable and so went to another part of town to explore there.

        • SaberX on 15/01/2015 - 02:13

          Wouldn't a last minute stay /cheapy hotel booked into NYC be tough to come by at a decent price?

          Most of the cheap ones for mid $100-low $200s are very hard to rate 2 stars, some 3 star hotels… and i kinda wonder for what may be a low size/quality hotel, if one would be better off getting a nice furnished air bnb room in NYC… what worries me is 1) customs noting my form of accomodation (Being illegal in NYC by apartment by laws - and therefore causing me or denying me entry into country) and 2) would it be strange having to deal with people everytime your home. Sure I'm a peoples person, but you know the whole 'make small talk/conservation' rather than jsut go home at night and plonk yourself on your laptop to research the next few days itinerary, or just to connect with friends. haha guess I shouldn't take such a negative persons view, I guess i like to take an introverted recharge at times, but am very talkative otherwise.

          Those comments by air bnb hosts made seem very creepy. Bad luck. I don't plan to deal with anyone off the app as I heard that anyhting that goes wrong with payment wont be covered by air bnb.

          Were your air bnb solo travellers /plan to be alone?

  • TNDO on 07/11/2014 - 16:43
    +1

    We used airbnb to organise our stay in NYC last year (December) for 10 nights.

    I can say that we didn't have any issues at all - the place was conveniently located, quiet and clean. Obviously it wasn't as nice as staying at a hotel but it was a lot cheaper than the majority of hotels available.

    If I was to go back to NYC I'd definitely look into booking accommodation through airbnb again.

    • SaberX on 15/01/2015 - 02:09

      Thanks. Was this your first city/entry into America upon entry at immigration? Would be great to know if so. My main concern was arriving into america in NYC and having an air bnb place listed as my residence… I'd assume immigration/customs wouldn't care as long as you have a method to stay, and have what appears to be tourist flights and itineraries rather than an intention to overstay.

      Where did you air bnb at? Could you offer advice as to location wise where to look, and a price band, to get something decent for the price ( a decent bed, host, and well positioned for what a first time visitor to NYC would appreciate)?

      Thank you.

  • donga100 on 08/11/2014 - 22:41
    +1

    I rented a 3 bedroom yacht through airbnb in LA on my last trip. It was the first place we were staying at so was listed on the immigration entry card and they had no problem with it.

    • SaberX on 15/01/2015 - 02:07

      Sorry just saw this post - I know abit late. Did they ask you where it was booked, i haven't seen the immigration requirements - or is it just an address with no query on the form of booking or your relation to it?

      DO you have to list out your first place of stay in entering the country at immigration? Or is this covered when you do your ETSA? Or is it done at both instances? THanks.

      • donga100 on 15/01/2015 - 20:51

        I don't recall it being asked for on the ESTA application. It was just an address required on the form for immigration on arrival in LAX. We listed it as "Private yacht, Marina Del Rey", no further questions were asked by immigration and we were promptly escorted through the priority line for rich VIP travellers and diplomats*.

        *Just kidding about the priority line.

        • SaberX on 17/01/2015 - 18:29

          Ahh interesting, thought the ESTA took care of the address, guess they still have the address details forms required at actual arrival/landing. Well if they aren't asking questions beyond your address then I should be fine booking an air bnb since no one will question the legality of my booked accomodation..?

          haha so far i've had no issues with looking dodgy… maybe because i sometimes am travelling with paro sand the family feel looks less dodgy than a single young guy travelling.

  • luxx on 15/01/2015 - 12:29

    Last July / August my partner and I went to the States for just over a month. We booked hotel accommodation for ONE night. For the rest of the time, we used Airbnb, VRBO and camped a lot in the national parks. Along the way we stayed in roadside motels two nights.

    Our first 3 nights in LA we stayed with Airbnb. It was the entire place, and we just wrote down the address of the apartment on our immigration form. Not even a batted eyelid by the officials. I doubt the immigration guys would know if the address you give was a legit hotel or not, just by looking at it.. That would be impressive. If they ask, it's a friends apartment you're staying in for your first few nights (you'd have their full names, phone numbers and emails by this point). By the amount of Aussie's in LA they'd believe it. As for New York… More Aussie's than London at the moment!

    As far as bookings go, we had some trouble with Airbnb in San Francisco (room no longer available, "sorry that price was wrong, it's actually $XX more expensive") but it was a learning process. As others have said already, look for a good amount of reviews, over a steady amount of time. Look for a fast and complete response rate. Most importantly, send a message first before you just hit the booking button, even if it's one of the ones that advertise instant booking.

    Also, once you find a place that looks alright, go to the lister's profile and check their other listings. If they seem to list every room in the same place, or you see photos that make it look almost like a hostel, these are the ones being targeted for illegal accommodation. What's happening in New York is that people are renting apartments to never live in them, solely to operate as an illegal hostel through Airbnb. It pisses off the neighbours, it drives up rents, and it's why there is a crack-down there at the moment.

    We met some amazing people, and we'd do it the same if we were going again for sure! It has even made us start thinking about putting our own place on Airbnb when we're away.

  • obses2ion on 20/01/2015 - 00:54

    Very interesting read.

    I returned from the US last month, having used Airbnb for both LA and NYC. Wasn't aware of any issues with using Airbnb in the states, as I've used it everywhere else around the world. During my searches I did find one spot that seemed 'too good to be true' - a super cheap apartment located in the heart of Manhattan, near Times Sq - the user had only joined up recently and had no reviews. I had a quick browse and moved on. Ended up in an apartment in Brooklyn, no issues. Similarly in LA we were in Hollywood. Met the host both times, no problems at all.

    Our host in LA told us to say we were his friends, and mention nothing about Airbnb if questioned. I thought nothing of this, I've had hosts in Hong Kong and Japan say the same thing.

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